The Ultimate Guide to Avoiding Scams & Hidden Fees on Cancun Tours

You’ve found it: a Cancun adventure tour with an incredible price. ATVs, ziplines, cenotes—all for a price that seems too good to be true. You click "book" and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

But when you arrive, the story changes. Suddenly, there’s a mandatory "park fee." Then, a high-pressure pitch for "collision insurance." Before you know it, that bargain tour has doubled in price, and your excitement has turned into frustration.

Sound familiar? Unfortunately, this is a common story in many popular tourist destinations. But it doesn’t have to be yours. As local adventure experts, we believe that transparency is everything. A great experience starts with trust. That’s why we’ve created this definitive guide to help you spot the red flags and avoid the hidden fees that can ruin a perfect vacation day.

The #1 Red Flag: A Price That’s "Too Good to Be True"
You’ll see them advertised online: ATV tours for $25 or $30. It’s tempting, but this is often the first sign of a business model built on hidden charges. Many operators lure you in with an incredibly low base price, knowing they will make up the difference with a series of mandatory, non-negotiable fees once you arrive at their facility, far from your hotel and with few other options.  

Your Glossary of Common Hidden Tour Fees
Be on the lookout for these common charges that are often not included in the advertised price.

The "Park Conservation Fee": This is one of the most common add-ons. After you’ve booked, you’ll be informed upon check-in that there is a mandatory park or land-use fee, typically around $20 USD per person, which must be paid in cash.  

The "Collision Insurance": This is the big one. You’ll be told that to drive an ATV, you must purchase their collision insurance. This is often presented as "optional," but the alternative is leaving a large open credit card voucher, putting you in a very uncomfortable position. This fee can range from  

$35 to $45 USD per vehicle. A tour for two people on separate ATVs could suddenly cost you $90 more than you expected.  

Locker Rentals: While some operators include them, many charge a separate fee for a locker to store your belongings safely.

The Photo Package Pressure: Most tours prohibit the use of your own phone or camera for "safety reasons," which is a valid concern. However, this often leads to a hard sell for their professional photo packages at the end of the tour. These packages can be very expensive, sometimes costing more than the tour itself.